"Goodness! I thought you were downstairs--But never mind! Don't forget what I told you about the new radishes." "No, Miss Ruby, they shall not be forgot," said the trim little maid, bobbing in the doorway. "Mr. Jenison likes his waffles crisp," added Miss Noakes. To David she said: "I love waffles and honey for lunch, don't you?" "I do," responded David. "But I didn't know I was to stop for lunch." "Father, didn't you tell him?" demanded Ruby. "I surely did," prevaricated Joey; "but you were both talking so 'ard he didn't 'ear me." During luncheon, which was blissfully served by Millie, David took occasion to compliment Ruby on her good looks, her success and her prospects. "Don't guy me, David," she cried, turning quite red. "If every girl I know could enjoy such improvement in five years, I'm sure--" began David gallantly. "I suppose you're thinking of Christine Braddock when you say that," said she shrewdly. He had the grace to blush. "Well, let me tell you, David, she's the prettiest thing on two legs--I should say, on two continents. Goodness, a girl does pick up such awful expressions on the stage! I'm just perfectly awful." "She is beautiful?" asked David, his heart-beats quickening. "She's what you might call ravishing," proclaimed Ruby. "And she's very elegant, too." "She don't forget 'er old friends, though," said Joey hastily. "She sent me that geranium over there larst month and she--" "Never mind, dad. David isn't interested in her or what she does. Tell me about Colonel Grand's daughter." "How do you happen to know--" "Oh, a little Dicky-bird told me," she said. "It was in the newspaper I take that you and she were at the Springs at the same time. Oh, I read the society news. Is she pretty?" "She reminds me of her father." "Then she looks like that African gazelle we had with Van Slye's! Poor girl!" "I don't like her," said David. Then he related his experience with the young woman. His hearers were disgusted but not surprised. "They're all alike," commented Joey. "They're bad, them Grands--father, mother and daughter. First one, then the other tried to bribe me and Ruby. I sometimes believe the wife's as bad as he is, only in a different way." They were still seated at the table, discussing the Grands, when a heavy knock came at the front door. "Who can that be?" said Joey, glancing at his daughter, who was suddenly quiet. The knock was repeated before Millie was instructed to go to the door. She admitted some one, after a moment's parley. The husky, low-toned voice of a man came to the ears of those in the dining-room. As Joey arose to investigate, the maid came in. "It's the same man who was 'ere yesterday, Mr. Noakes. He says as he's 'ungry." "Braddock," said Joey in a half whisper. The man was standing just inside the front door; his dim figure was silhouetted red against the narrow, colored glass window in the casement. Something told them he was fumbling his hat and that his head was bent.